Solar PV Data Logger Comparison: Find your best data logger.
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No more going through data sheets, no more lacking clarity over which solar PV data logger fits you. Solytic did an extensive research, worked together directly with solar PV data logger manufacturers worldwide, and used pv magazine’s Monitoring and Operational Management Systems Database to create an up-to-date and compact comparison of data loggers.
The overview does not miss to include any major international brand. Enter the product comparison, and sort different functions and prices according to your needs. Decide for the right data logger with confidence, and maximize the performance of your assets while reducing maintenance costs.
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Cost effectiveness
To compare how cost-effective solar pv data loggers are, you best divide them in two categories: Data loggers suiting larger systems (over 100 kWp), and those for smaller systems (under 100 kWp). The reason: in each country, there are different requirements for solar PV data loggers depending on their size, resulting in a wide array of functions and prices.
Data loggers for plants above 100 kWp
Data loggers for plants below 100 kWp
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Feed-in management
This network management instrument serves network operators to protect the network from over- and underloading.
Data collection
A solar pv data logger collects data from various resources and transmits them to a portal which processes and visualises data.
We take the term data collection more broadly, and understand it as different data sources depending on how the PV data logger is equipped and connected.
In order to find out which data sources must or should be connected, ask yourself the following questions: Which infrastructure is already at hand? How is the system used? – Is it a pure feed-in plant? Does it serve for your own consumption, with and without storage?
Compatibility
What is important about compatibility?
Make sure the solar data logger can communicate with the selected components such as ripple control receiver and park controller but also with peripherals such as sensors, battery storage and inverters. Please also note: without a functioning feed-in management system, the solar system (which is operated in parallel to the grid) must not be put into operation.
What to consider when making a choice?
Check whether the data logger masters the corresponding communication protocols, provides relevant interfaces to direct marketing and transmission system operators (TSO) and distribution system operators (DSO). The overall communication concept should also include all peripheral devices that collect data.
Interfaces
Why are interfaces important?
Interfaces connect external hardware to the solar pv data logger. They enable the logger to collect data in the first place.
What should you consider when making a choice?
Make sure interfaces are available in sufficient numbers to connect the external periphery. If you choose carelessly, you may have to pay extra, for example, in case additional converters or expansion interfaces are required.
IT Security
Why is IT security important?
IT security is growing more and more important with the share of renewable energies rising in total energy production. IT systems controlling and monitoring solar pv systems get increasingly interconnected and digitalized. Thus, they are exposed to potential cyber attacks. Due to partially open protocols, attackers can manipulate solar systems, and consequently cause considerable damage such as blackouts.
What to consider when making a choice?
In addition to complying with requirements in a client network, plant operators ideally ensure that communicating with the plant is encrypted, and no one is able to dial into the plant easily. If you use a VPN, you can use it to increase IT security. Also, take care that passwords comply with state-of-the-art recommendations.
Data and measuring intervals
Why are data and measuring intervals important?
Depending on how often users need the data from the system, they can set different transmission intervals: from 1-minute transmission intervals to transmission once a day.
The setting options also vary for the measurement intervals. These range between the standard of 15 minutes (average value) and 1 second values used in the energy industry.
What to consider when making a choice?
For data intervals, some PV data logger providers restrict the service. For example, some PV data loggers allow data push to a third party portal once a day free of charge. Costs for extra licenses may also be incurred if your own data is to be transferred to a third-party portal at smaller intervals. In this case, data loggers should ensure the greatest possible flexibility, especially regarding your own data sovereignty.
The criteria for the measurement intervals strongly depend on your own wishes but also on the technical necessities. Do you operate a PV system for your own consumption, and would you like to track the load flows? Then you should look to higher-resolution intervals, for example 1-minute averages. Plants running in pure feed-in mode can operate with 15-minute averages without hesitation. A low data resolution has the disadvantage that peaks are less easily detected.
Meanwhile, it has proven best practice to let data logger store a minimum of three months of data locally, and perform a complete data backup in the cloud, says Solar Power Europe.
This comparison is based on public data from pv magazine's "Product Database Monitoring Systems" magazine. Prices, if available, are coming directly from the providers. With this note we would like to explicitly point out that this article is only an excerpt comparing the most important features as well as the providers from our point of view. In this way, we can guarantee an adequate overview of the information. To view the complete data, simply click on the link to pv-magazine's product database (German-only).
For product detail updates please email us at marketing@solytic.com.